DE PERE – St. Norbert College was held in check by UW-La Crosse in the championship game of the 18th annual Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament in a 84-58 loss at Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center.
The Green Knights (7-4), held the lead for just a few moments against the Eagles before the visitors started to pull away. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Cole Uhlenbrauck and Cam Lathos tied the game at 14-14 with 13:55 left in the first half before La Crosse went on a 10-0 run to take the first double digit lead of the game. A 6-0 run from the Green Knights cut the lead down to 25-22 with 8:09 left in the half.
The Eagles reclaimed a 14-point lead with two minutes to play in the half before a 7-2 St. Norbert run cut the lead to 44-35 at the half.
St. Norbert came out hot in the second half and cut the lead to six points following a three from Uhlenbrauck to make it 47-41. A three from Connor Pytleski (pictured) made it a 54-46 game, but it was the closest the Green Knights came to the lead the rest of the contest.
The Eagles, who are ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division III poll, led by as many as 27 in the second half.
St. Norbert shot 41.4 percent from the floor (24-for-58). Pytleski led with 14 points and six rebounds. Will Stuckey had seven points and four assists while Uhlenbrauck had six points.
Additionally, Pytleski was named to the all-tournament team following the conclusion of the tournament, averaging 12 points a game.
UW-La Crosse shot 54 percent from the floor (34-for-63). Sam Grieger had 22 points while JJ Paider recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards.